Principles for Culturally Competent Health Care for Native Americans

Providers must seek to understand the culture of the Native American.

Moreover, it is imperative to support existing Native American practices related to healing and prevention. It is important to understand your role as a provider and discover how to fit into the client community’s model of health and healing. By integrating traditional and Western healing practices, providers can create realistic and culturally congruent services.⁹

Respect traditional healing practices

Culturally competent health care for American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) must respect traditional healing practices that aim to restore balance and harmony to the mind, body, spirit and community. Furthermore, providers must define and value health and mental health as they are defined and valued in traditional Native American communities.¹⁰

Identify sources of depression that stress the community, and incorporate traditional ceremony such as talking circles and spirit camps into treatment models. Traditional models are valuable because they connect Native Americans with their traditions and true selves and "because nature is a sacred and healing place that helps us to be wise and creative as we work toward our future."¹¹ Only by respecting traditional healing practices can health services eliminate disparity gaps. At the same time, since many AI/AN peoples are bi-cultural, successful treatment and prevention for health problems must blend complementary strategies from Western and traditional healing practices.

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